Nozzle, adhesive application head, adhesive application apparatus, and method of making diaper

ABSTRACT

A nozzle includes a pattern shim having a plurality of first slits and a plurality of second slits, an adhesive shim having a plurality of first holes, a gas shim, a head body having an adhesive outlet and an adhesive distribution groove communicating with the adhesive outlet, and a face plate. Adhesive ejection ports are formed at openings of the plurality of first slits, and gas discharge ports are formed at openings of a plurality of second slits in such a manner that the gas discharge ports are located on both sides of each of the adhesive ejection ports. The plurality of first holes communicate with the adhesive distribution groove. The plurality of first holes are formed in such a manner that distances of the first holes from the corresponding discharge ejection ports become shorter as distances of the corresponding first holes from the adhesive outlet become longer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Phase Application of International PatentApplication No. PCT/US2021/024063, filed Mar. 25, 2021, which claims thebenefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-055229, filed Mar. 26,2020, the entirety of which is incorporated herein for any and allpurposes the entire disclosures of both of which are hereby incorporatedby reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a nozzle, an adhesive application head, anadhesive application apparatus, and a method of making a diaper.

BACKGROUND

Hitherto, there exists a nozzle configured to eject a liquid in afibrous shape and cause gas streams to impinge on the fibrous liquidsubstantially from both sides to oscillate the liquid to thereby form anomega-shaped pattern (PATENT LITERATURE 1). Further, there exists anozzle configured to oscillate a fibrous adhesive to apply the fibrousadhesive on a cord-like member so as to bond the cord-like member to asubstrate (PATENT LITERATURE 2, PATENT LITERATURE 3).

Still further, there exists a nozzle having a pair of gas holes formedat symmetric positions with respect to an adhesive ejection port. Whenthe nozzle is mounted to an application apparatus, the adhesive ejectionport extends in a predetermined direction and is inclined at apredetermined angle with respect to a relative moving direction betweenthe nozzle and a substrate (PATENT LITERATURE 4). Gas streams are jettedto fibers of a viscous fluid material ejected from the nozzle to vibratethe viscous fluid material in the predetermined direction.

Still further, there exists an adhesive application head having anadhesive nozzle and gas discharge ports, which are formed by laminatinga plurality of plates. The gas discharge ports, which are each inclinedat a predetermined angle, are formed on both sides of the adhesivenozzle (PATENT LITERATURE 5). Specifically, the adhesive nozzleconfigured to eject an adhesive is formed with a central convex portionof a central plate and convex portions of both end plates, whichsandwich the central convex portion therebetween. A gas jetted from eachof openings of slits on both sides of the adhesive nozzle is guidedtoward the adhesive being ejected. In the adhesive application headdescribed in PATENT LITERATURE 5, the central plate has a plurality offirst convex portions arranged side by side at an outer edge, aplurality of first slits formed in such a manner as to correspond to theplurality of first convex portions, and a plurality of pairs of secondslits formed in such a manner as to correspond to the plurality of firstconvex portions. Each of the pair of end plates has a plurality ofsecond convex portions formed in such a manner as to correspond to theplurality of first convex portions. Specifically, a plurality ofadhesive ejection ports are formed by one set of superposed plates.

Prior Art Documents and Patent Literature

PATENT LITERATURE 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2000-070832

PATENT LITERATURE 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2003-071328

PATENT LITERATURE 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.H11-333373

PATENT LITERATURE 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2008-104998

PATENT LITERATURE 5: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2011-147939

SUMMARY Problems to be Solved by the Disclosure

In the configuration in which the plurality of adhesive ejection portsare formed by the one set of superposed plates, flow rates of adhesivestreams supplied to the plurality of adhesive ejection ports and flowrates of air streams supplied to the plurality of gas discharge portsare different in a center portion and end portions of the plates. As aresult, ejection amounts of adhesive ejected from the plurality ofadhesive ejection ports, amplitudes of patterns of the adhesive streams,and amplitude cycles (frequencies) become non-uniform over the pluralityof adhesive ejection ports, and hence adhesive fibers having the samefiber diameter cannot come into contact with rubber threads in the samecycles. Thus, bonding strength varies among the rubber threads, andthere arises a problem in that an ideal application state cannot beobtained.

Further, in order to increase a production rate of items (such as infantpaper diapers, adult paper diapers, and feminine hygiene items), therubber thread, which is a material for the items, is required to betransported at high speed in accordance with the production rate.However, when the adhesive is applied at a substantially right anglewith respect to a moving direction of the rubber thread as in therelated art, the ejected adhesive is more liable to be repelled by asurface of the rubber thread and scattered to the surroundings as themoving speed of the rubber thread increases. As a result, the adhesivemay fail to adhere to a desired portion of the rubber thread to cause abonding defect, or scattered adhesive fibers may contaminate peripheraldevices. In order to avoid the above-mentioned problems, the productionrate is decreased to such a rate at which the scattering of the adhesivedoes not occur, or an ejection speed, specifically, an ejection amountof the adhesive is increased, to thereby prevent the adhesive from beingrepelled by the rubber thread moving at high speed. However, therearises a problem in that production conditions are restricted.

Thus, the disclosure has an object to provide a nozzle that enablesimprovement of uniformity in distribution of an adhesive to bedistributed to a plurality of adhesive ejection ports and uniformity indistribution of a gas to be distributed to a plurality of gas dischargeports and enables suppression of repelling and scattering of theadhesive by a rubber thread.

Solutions for Solving the Problems

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to oneembodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a nozzle, including:

a pattern shim having a plurality of tapered first convex portionsprotruding from an outer edge outwardly, a plurality of first slitswhich are open at tips of the plurality of first convex portions,respectively, a plurality of second slits provided on both sides of eachof the plurality of first slits and are open at portions adjacent to acorresponding first convex portion, and a first gas hole;

an adhesive shim having a plurality of tapered second convex portionsprotruding from an outer edge outwardly and having a shape wider thanthe first convex portions, a plurality of first holes as adhesive flowpaths, and a second gas hole;

a gas shim having a plurality of tapered third convex portionsprotruding from an outer edge outwardly and having a shape wider thanthe first convex portions, a plurality of second holes as gas flowpaths, and a third gas hole;

a head body having an adhesive inlet, an adhesive outlet, an adhesiveflow path connecting the adhesive inlet and the adhesive outlet, anadhesive distribution groove communicating with the adhesive outlet, agas inlet, a gas outlet, and a gas flow path connecting the gas inletand the gas outlet;

a face plate having a first gas distribution groove, a second gasdistribution groove communicating with the first gas distributiongroove, and a third gas distribution groove communicating with thesecond gas distribution groove; and

fixing means for fixing the head body, the adhesive shim, the patternshim, the gas shim, and the face plate arranged in order of mention sothat the adhesive distribution groove communicates with the plurality offirst holes, the plurality of first holes communicate with the pluralityof first slits, the gas outlet communicates with the first gas hole, thefirst gas hole communicates the second gas hole, the second gas holecommunicates with the third gas hole, the third gas hole communicateswith the first gas distribution groove, the third gas distributiongroove communicates with the plurality of second holes, and theplurality of second holes communicates with the plurality of secondslits,

wherein the plurality of first convex portions are sandwiched by theplurality of second convex portions and the plurality of third convexportions to form adhesive discharge ports at openings of the pluralityof first slits and to form gas discharge ports, at openings of theplurality of second slits, provided on both sides of each of theadhesive discharge ports, and

wherein the plurality of first holes are configured so that a distancefrom an adhesive ejection port becomes shorter as a distance from theadhesive outlet becomes longer.

Effects of the Disclosure

According to the disclosure, uniformity in distribution of the adhesiveto be distributed to the plurality of adhesive ejection ports anduniformity in distribution of the gas to be distributed to the pluralityof gas discharge ports can be improved.

According to an aspect of this disclosure, a nozzle may include: apattern shim having a plurality of tapered first convex portionsprotruding from an outer edge outwardly; a plurality of first slitswhich open at tips of the plurality of first convex portions,respectively; a plurality of second slits provided on both sides of eachof the plurality of first slits and open at portions adjacent to acorresponding first convex portion; and a first gas hole; an adhesiveshim having a plurality of tapered second convex portions protrudingfrom an outer edge outwardly and having a shape wider than the firstconvex portions; a plurality of first holes as adhesive flow paths; anda second gas hole; a gas shim having a plurality of tapered third convexportions protruding from an outer edge outwardly and having a shapewider than the first convex portions; a plurality of second holes as gasflow paths; and a third gas hole; a head body having an adhesive inlet,an adhesive outlet, an adhesive flow path connecting the adhesive inletand the adhesive outlet, an adhesive distribution groove communicatingwith the adhesive outlet, a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a gas flow pathconnecting the gas inlet and the gas outlet; a face plate having a firstgas distribution groove, a second gas distribution groove communicatingwith the first gas distribution groove, and a third gas distributiongroove communicating with the second gas distribution groove; and afixing means for fixing the head body, the adhesive shim, the patternshim, the gas shim, and the face plate arranged in order of mention sothat the adhesive distribution groove communicates with the plurality offirst holes, the plurality of first holes communicate with the pluralityof first slits, the gas outlet communicates with the first gas hole, thefirst gas hole communicates the second gas hole, the second gas holecommunicates with the third gas hole, the third gas hole communicateswith the first gas distribution groove, the third gas distributiongroove communicates with the plurality of second holes, and theplurality of second holes communicates with the plurality of secondslits, wherein the plurality of first convex portions are sandwiched bythe plurality of second convex portions and the plurality of thirdconvex portions to form adhesive discharge ports at openings of theplurality of first slits and to form gas discharge ports, at openings ofthe plurality of second slits, provided on both sides of each of theadhesive discharge ports, and wherein the plurality of first holes areconfigured so that a distance from an adhesive discharge port becomesshorter as a distance from the adhesive outlet becomes longer.

Optionally, adhesive discharged from the adhesive discharge ports may beapplied on objects moving in a moving direction with respect to theadhesive discharge ports.

Optionally, the head body has an inclined surface which is inclined withrespect to the moving direction; the adhesive distribution groove andthe gas outlet are formed in the inclined surface; the adhesive shim isdisposed in contact with the inclined surface; axes passing through theadhesive discharge ports of the plurality of first slits extend alongthe inclined surface to form an acute angle with respect to the movingdirection; and axes passing through the gas discharge ports of theplurality of second slits extend along the inclined surface to form anacute angle with respect to the moving direction.

Optionally, the face plate has a plurality of guide grooves, and whereineach of the guide grooves is positioned in a vicinity of a correspondingadhesive discharge port and has a concave surface configured to receivethe object and guide the object along the moving direction.

Optionally, gases are discharged from the gas discharge ports formed onboth sides of the corresponding adhesive discharge port in symmetry withrespect to and toward the adhesive discharged from the correspondingadhesive discharge port so that the gases discharged from the gasdischarge ports impinge on the adhesive discharged from thecorresponding adhesive discharge port at a same distance from thecorresponding adhesive discharge port, and wherein the plurality ofsecond convex portions and the plurality of third convex portions aredisposed so as to cover the gas discharge ports as viewed along themoving direction.

Optionally, the plurality of first holes are located on intersectingpoints of the plurality of first slits with a line forming apredetermined angle with a line extending along a width direction of theadhesive shim.

Optionally, the plurality of first holes are long holes elongated in adirection the plurality of first slits extend.

Optionally, lengths of the long holes are set so as to become longer inaccordance with the distance from the adhesive outlet.

Optionally, the plurality of first holes are round-holes, and whereindiameters of the round-holes are set so as to become larger inaccordance with the distance from the adhesive outlet.

Optionally, the plurality of first holes are round-holes, and whereindiameters of the round-holes are the same.

Optionally, the third gas distribution groove is longer than the firstgas distribution groove in a width direction of the face plate, whereina depth of the second gas distribution groove is shallower than a depthof the first gas distribution groove and a depth of the third gasdistribution groove, and wherein a width of the second gas distributiongroove is widened in the width direction of the face plate as going fromthe first gas distribution groove to the third gas distribution groove.

Optionally, the face plate has a pair of positioning pins, wherein thepattern shim has a positioning hole through which one of the pair ofpositioning pins passes, and a positioning groove provided on a part ofan outer periphery of the pattern shim and engaging with the other ofthe pair of positioning pins, wherein the adhesive shim has apositioning hole through which the one of the pair of positioning pinspasses, and a positioning groove provided on a part of an outerperiphery of the adhesive shim and engaging with the other of the pairof positioning pins, and wherein the gas shim has a positioning holethrough which the one of the pair of positioning pins passes, and apositioning groove provided on a part of an outer periphery of the gasshim and engaging with the other of the pair of positioning pins.

According to some embodiments, an adhesive application head may includea nozzle as recited in any one or more of the embodiments orcombinations of embodiments above; and a dispenser valve, to which thenozzle is mounted, configured to supply an adhesive to the nozzle.

According to another embodiment, an adhesive application apparatus mayinclude: a transport roller for transporting an object to an applicationposition in a moving direction; a melter for supplying an adhesive; apump for pumping the adhesive from the melter; a hose through which theadhesive pumped by the pump passes; a manifold for distribute theadhesive supplied from the hose; a first regulator for depressurizing acompression gas; a solenoid valve for supplying the compression gasdepressurized by the first regulator in accordance with an externalsignal; a dispenser valve, to which the adhesive is distributed from themanifold, which opens and closes an adhesive discharge port by thecompression gas supplied from the solenoid valve, and discharges theadhesive for the adhesive discharge port; a second regulator fordepressurizing a compression gas; and a nozzle for discharge theadhesive supplied from the dispenser valve and impinging the compressiongas depressurized by the second regulator on the adhesive to oscillatethe adhesive to apply the adhesive on the object moving in the movingdirection, wherein the nozzle includes: a pattern shim having aplurality of tapered first convex portions protruding from an outer edgeoutwardly, a plurality of first slits which open at tips of theplurality of first convex portions, respectively, a plurality of secondslits provided on both sides of each of the plurality of first slits andopen at portions adjacent to a corresponding first convex portion, and afirst gas hole; an adhesive shim having a plurality of tapered secondconvex portions protruding from an outer edge outwardly and having ashape wider than the first convex portions, a plurality of first holesas adhesive flow paths, and a second gas hole; a gas shim having aplurality of tapered third convex portions protruding from an outer edgeoutwardly and having a shape wider than the first convex portions, aplurality of second holes as gas flow paths, and a third gas hole; ahead body having an adhesive inlet, an adhesive outlet, an adhesive flowpath connecting the adhesive inlet and the adhesive outlet, an adhesivedistribution groove communicating with the adhesive outlet, a gas inlet,a gas outlet, and a gas flow path connecting the gas inlet and the gasoutlet; a face plate having a first gas distribution groove, a secondgas distribution groove communicating with the first gas distributiongroove, and a third gas distribution groove communicating with thesecond gas distribution groove; and fixing means for fixing the headbody, the adhesive shim, the pattern shim, the gas shim, and the faceplate arranged in order of mention so that the adhesive distributiongroove communicates with the plurality of first holes, the plurality offirst holes communicate with the plurality of first slits, the gasoutlet communicates with the first gas hole, the first gas holecommunicates the second gas hole, the second gas hole communicates withthe third gas hole, the third gas hole communicates with the first gasdistribution groove, the third gas distribution groove communicates withthe plurality of second holes, and the plurality of second holescommunicates with the plurality of second slits, wherein the pluralityof first convex portions are sandwiched by the plurality of secondconvex portions and the plurality of third convex portions to formadhesive discharge ports at openings of the plurality of first slits andto form gas discharge ports, at openings of the plurality of secondslits, provided on both sides of each of the adhesive discharge ports,and wherein the plurality of first holes are configured so that adistance from an adhesive discharge port becomes shorter as a distancefrom the adhesive outlet becomes longer.

Optionally, the head body has an inclined surface which is inclined withrespect to the moving direction, the adhesive distribution groove andthe gas outlet are formed in the inclined surface, the adhesive shim isdisposed in contact with the inclined surface, axes passing through theadhesive discharge ports of the plurality of first slits extend alongthe inclined surface to form an acute angle with respect to the movingdirection, and axes passing through the gas discharge ports of theplurality of second slits extend along the inclined surface to form anacute angle with respect to the moving direction.

Optionally, the face plate has a plurality of guide grooves, and whereineach of the guide grooves is positioned in a vicinity of a correspondingadhesive discharge port and has a concave surface configured to receivethe object and guide the object along the moving direction.

Optionally, gases are discharged from the gas discharge ports formed onboth sides of the corresponding adhesive discharge port in symmetry withrespect to and toward the adhesive discharged from the correspondingadhesive discharge port so that the gases discharged from the gasdischarge ports impinge on the adhesive discharged from thecorresponding adhesive discharge port at a same distance from thecorresponding adhesive discharge port, and wherein the plurality ofsecond convex portions and the plurality of third convex portions aredisposed so as to cover the gas discharge ports as viewed along themoving direction.

Optionally, the plurality of first holes are located on intersectingpoints of the plurality of first slits with a line forming apredetermined angle with a line extending along a width direction of theadhesive shim.

Optionally, the plurality of first holes are long holes elongated in adirection the plurality of first slits extend.

Optionally, lengths of the long holes are set so as to become longer inaccordance with the distance from the adhesive outlet.

Optionally, the plurality of first holes are round-holes, and whereindiameters of the round-holes are set so as to become larger inaccordance with the distance from the adhesive outlet.

Optionally, the plurality of first holes are round-holes, and whereindiameters of the round-holes are the same.

Optionally, the third gas distribution groove is longer than the firstgas distribution groove in a width direction of the face plate, whereina depth of the second gas distribution groove is shallower than a depthof the first gas distribution groove and a depth of the third gasdistribution groove, and wherein a width of the second gas distributiongroove is widened in the width direction of the face plate as going fromthe first gas distribution groove to the third gas distribution groove.

Optionally, the face plate has a pair of positioning pins, wherein thepattern shim has a positioning hole through which one of the pair ofpositioning pins passes, and a positioning groove provided on a part ofan outer periphery of the pattern shim and engaging with the other ofthe pair of positioning pins, wherein the adhesive shim has apositioning hole through which the one of the pair of positioning pinspasses, and a positioning groove provided on a part of an outerperiphery of the adhesive shim and engaging with the other of the pairof positioning pins, and wherein the gas shim has a positioning holethrough which the one of the pair of positioning pins passes, and apositioning groove provided on a part of an outer periphery of the gasshim and engaging with the other of the pair of positioning pins.

According to another embodiment, a method of making a diaper mayinclude: moving a plurality of rubber threads; applying a plurality ofhot melt adhesive fibers discharged from a nozzle as recited in any oneor combination of examples listed above on the plurality of rubberthreads, respectively, in a wave pattern formed by impinging gas on theplurality of hot melt adhesive fibers, and sandwiching the plurality ofrubber threads on which the plurality of hot melt adhesive fibers areapplied, respectively, by two substrates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an adhesive application apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a nozzle, a dispenser valve, and amanifold;

FIG. 3 is a view for illustrating the nozzle;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an ejection port;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the nozzle;

FIG. 6 is a view for illustrating a pattern shim;

FIG. 7 is a view for illustrating an adhesive shim;

FIG. 8 is a view for illustrating a gas shim;

FIG. 9 is a view for illustrating a head body;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the nozzle;

FIG. 11 is a view for illustrating a face plate;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view for illustrating a positionalrelationship among an adhesive distribution groove, first slits, andlong holes;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view for illustrating a positionalrelationship among the adhesive distribution groove, the first slits,and round-holes in a modification example;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view for illustrating a positionalrelationship among gas distribution grooves, second slits, and gasholes; and

FIG. 15 is a view for illustrating a nozzle configured to apply a singlefiber of adhesive to a plurality of rubber threads.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The disclosed invention will be described based on various envisionedand preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.Note that, in the following description of the embodiment, sizes,materials, shapes, positional relationship, etc. of components are notintended to limit the scope of the disclosure exclusively thereto unlessotherwise specified.

Adhesive Application Apparatus

An overall structure of an adhesive application apparatus 100 isdescribed with reference to FIG. 1 . The adhesive application apparatus100 can be used to make disposal hygiene items such as infant paperdiapers, adult paper diapers, and feminine hygiene items. FIG. 1 is ablock diagram of the adhesive application apparatus 100. The adhesiveapplication apparatus 100 includes a nozzle 1, a dispenser valve 60, amanifold 61, a melter 62, a pump 63, a pattern controller 64, a solenoidvalve 65, a first regulator 66, and a second regulator 67. An adhesiveapplication head 200 includes the dispenser valve 60 and the nozzle 1mounted to the dispenser valve 60. The adhesive application apparatus100 further includes a guide roller 68 (transport roller), a firsttransport roller 69, and a second transport roller 70.

A hot melt adhesive (hereinafter referred to simply as “adhesive 5”) ismelted by the melter 62, and is stored in a tank inside the melter 62.The adhesive 5 is pumped by the pump 63 from the melter 62 through aheating hose 74 to the manifold 61. The melter 62 receives a speedsignal corresponding to a moving speed (transporting speed) of rubberthreads 4 from a base unit, and controls the amount of the adhesive 5 tobe supplied by the pump 63 in accordance with the speed signal. When aproduction rate is increased, the amount of the adhesive 5 supplied fromthe melter 62 is increased in accordance with the speed signal from thebase unit. When the production rate is decreased, the amount of theadhesive 5 supplied from the melter 62 is reduced in accordance with thespeed signal from the base unit.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the nozzle 1, the dispenser valve 60, andthe manifold 61. The adhesive 5 is supplied to an adhesive passage 81formed in the manifold 61. A plurality of dispenser valves 60 can bemounted to the manifold 61. The adhesive 5 passes from the adhesivepassage 81 through a common adhesive passage 82 to be distributed intothe dispenser valves 60. The adhesive 5 is supplied to a valve chamber91 formed in the dispenser valve 60. The dispenser valve 60 has a pistonchamber 92. The dispenser valve 60 includes a valve rod 93 that extendsthrough the valve chamber 91 and the piston chamber 92. The valve rod 93is movably provided in the dispenser valve 60.

A piston 94 provided in the piston chamber 92 is mounted to an endportion of the valve rod 93. The piston 94 is urged by a spring 96 sothat a tip portion of the valve rod 93 comes into contact with anadhesive discharge port 95. The adhesive discharge port 95 communicateswith the nozzle 1 through intermediation of an adhesive dischargepassage 97.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , a compression gas is depressurized by thefirst regulator 66, and is then supplied to the solenoid valve 65. Inthis embodiment, the compression gas is compression air. However, thecompression gas may be a compressed inert gas. The first regulator 66 isconfigured to maintain a pressure of the compression gas at apredetermined pressure. The pattern controller 64 is configured tocontrol opening and closing of the solenoid valve 65 in accordance withan application pattern of the adhesive. When the solenoid valve 65 isopened, the compression gas is supplied to a first gas passage 83 of themanifold 61 illustrated in FIG. 2 . The compression gas passes from thefirst gas passage 83 through a first common gas passage 84 to bedistributed to the piston chamber 92 of each of the dispenser valves 60.

The pattern controller 64 is configured to continuously orintermittently open and close the solenoid valve 65 in accordance withthe application pattern so as to control timing at which the valve rod93 of the dispenser valve 60 opens and closes the adhesive dischargeport 95. When the solenoid valve 65 is opened in accordance with asignal (external signal) output from the pattern controller 64, thecompression gas, which has been depressurized by the first regulator 66,is supplied to the dispenser valve 60 to open the adhesive dischargeport 95. As a result, the adhesive 5 is supplied to the nozzle 1, and isejected therefrom. When the valve rod 93 continuously opens the adhesivedischarge port 95, the adhesive 5 is continuously applied to the rubberthreads 4. When the valve rod 93 intermittently opens and closes theadhesive discharge port 95, the adhesive 5 is intermittently applied tothe rubber threads 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the compression gas is depressurized by thesecond regulator 67, and is then supplied to the manifold 61. Asillustrated in FIG. 2 , the compression gas flowing from the secondregulator 67 passes from a second gas passage 85 through a second commongas passage 86 to be distributed to a pair of gas discharge passages 98of each of the dispenser valves 60. The compression gas, which has beendepressurized by the second regulator 67, is continuously supplied tothe nozzle 1, and is ejected therefrom. The compression gas ejected fromthe nozzle 1 impinges on the adhesive 5 being ejected in a filament-likeshape from the nozzle 1 to oscillate the adhesive 5. The oscillatedadhesive 5 is applied on an outer periphery of the rubber threads 4 thatare being continuously moved.

Through the regulation of the pressure of the compression gas by thesecond regulator 67, a width of oscillation of the adhesive 5 can beadjusted. When the pressure of the compression gas after being regulatedby the second regulator 67 is high, the width of oscillation of theadhesive 5 is increased. When the pressure of the compression gas afterbeing regulated by the second regulator 67 is low, the width ofoscillation of the adhesive 5 is reduced. The second regulator 67 may bean electro-pneumatic regulator. When the electro-pneumatic regulator iscontrolled in accordance with an electric signal corresponding to themoving speed of the rubber threads 4, the pressure of the compressiongas can be set variable. When an ejection amount of the adhesive 5 isincreased, the adhesive 5 is less liable to be oscillated. Thus, in thiscase, the width of oscillation of the adhesive 5 can be kept constant byincreasing the pressure of the compression gas supplied from the secondregulator 67.

The rubber threads 4 (objects) are wound into a roll 71. The rubberthreads 4 are supplied from the roll 71 to the nozzle 1 throughintermediation of the guide roller 68. A first substrate 8 (lowersubstrate) is wound into a roll 72. The first substrate 8 is suppliedfrom the roll 72 to the first transport roller 69 to be bonded to therubber threads 4 applied with the adhesive 5. A second substrate 9(upper substrate) is wound into a roll 73. The second substrate 9 issupplied from the roll 73 to the second transport roller 70 to be bondedto the rubber threads 4 applied with the adhesive 5. The first substrate8 and the second substrate 9 are bonded to each other in such a mannerthat the rubber threads 4 applied with the adhesive 5 are sandwichedtherebetween.

Nozzle

Now, the nozzle 1 is described. FIG. 3 is a view for illustrating thenozzle 1. FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view of the nozzle 1. FIG. 3(b) isa side view of the nozzle 1. The nozzle 1 has a plurality of ejectionports 2 and a plurality of guide grooves 3 corresponding to theplurality of ejection ports 2, respectively. In this embodiment, fourejection ports 2 and four guide grooves 3 are formed. However, thenumber of ejection ports 2 and the number of guide grooves 3 are noteach limited to four, and may be two, three, five, or other numbers. Itis only required that one nozzle 1 have at least two implementations ofthe ejection ports 2. The guide grooves 3 are configured to guide therubber threads 4 that are moved along a moving direction (transportingdirection) A to positions optimal for the application of the adhesive 5.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the ejection port 2. The ejection port 2includes an adhesive ejection port 6 and gas discharge ports 7 (airdischarge ports). The adhesive ejection port 6 is configured to ejectthe adhesive 5. The gas discharge ports 7 are configured to jet thecompression gas. The two gas discharge ports 7 are arranged on bothsides of the adhesive ejection port 6 in a width direction B orthogonalto the moving direction A of the rubber threads 4. The nozzle 1 appliesthe adhesive 5 on each of the rubber threads 4, which are being movedalong the moving direction A under a state in which the compression gasis jetted from the gas discharge ports 7 toward the adhesive 5 beingejected from the adhesive ejection port 6 for each of the rubber threads4. Streams of the compression gas ejected from the gas discharge ports 7are caused to impinge on the adhesive 5 that is being ejected from theadhesive ejection port 6 in a filament-like shape to thereby oscillatethe adhesive 5. The oscillated adhesive 5 is continuously applied on theouter periphery of the rubber thread 4 that is being moved.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the nozzle 1. The nozzle 1 includes a headbody 11, an adhesive shim 12, a pattern shim 13, a gas shim 14, and aface plate 15. FIG. 5(a) is an exploded view of the nozzle 1 as viewedfrom the head body 11 side. FIG. 5(b) is an exploded view of the nozzle1 as viewed from the face plate 15 side. The pattern shim 13 issandwiched between a pair of side shims being the adhesive shim 12 andthe gas shim 14. Three shims (the adhesive shim 12, the pattern shim 13,and the gas shim 14) are sandwiched between the head body 11 and theface plate 15, and are fixed all together with use of the screws 16,such as two screws (fixing means). An O-ring 17 is configured to preventleakage of the adhesive 5 through a space between the dispenser valve 60and the nozzle 1.

Pattern Shim

FIG. 6 is a view for illustrating the pattern shim 13. The pattern shim13 has a plurality of the convex portions 22 (first convex portions),each having a tapered shape, which protrude outward from an outer edge21. In this embodiment, the pattern shim 13 has four convex portions 22.Each of the convex portions 22 has a first slit 23 (through groove)formed therethrough. The first slit 23 is open at a tip 22 a of theconvex portion 22, and the opening of the first slit 23 functions as theadhesive ejection port 6. In this embodiment, the first slits 23 arearranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction B of thepattern shim 13. However, the first slits 23 are not required to bearranged at equal intervals. The pattern shim 13 has pairs of secondslits 24 (through grooves). Each of the pairs of second slits 24 areopen at positions on the outer edge 21, which are adjacent to acorresponding one of the convex portions 22. Each of pairs of secondslits 24 are arranged bilaterally symmetric with respect to acorresponding one of the first slits 23. Open ends of the pair of secondslits 24 function as the pair of gas discharge ports 7 being open atsymmetric positions with respect to the adhesive ejection port 6.

The pattern shim 13 has a pair of gas holes 25 (first gas holes). Thepattern shim 13 further has a pair of through holes 26, a positioninghole 27, and a positioning groove 28. The pair of through holes 26 allowpassage of the two screws 16. The positioning hole 27 allows passage ofone of a pair of positioning pins 157 provided to the face plate 15. Thepositioning groove 28 is engaged with another one of the pair ofpositioning pins 157. The positioning groove 28 is formed in such amanner as to define a part of an edge of the pattern shim 13. Thepositioning groove 28 is formed in a part of an outer periphery of thepattern shim 13, and thus is easily formed by wire discharge.

Adhesive Shim

FIG. 7 is a view for illustrating the adhesive shim 12. The adhesiveshim (hot melt shim) 12 serving as one of the side shims has a pluralityof convex portions 32 (second convex portions), each having a taperedshape, which protrude outward from an outer periphery 31. In thisembodiment, the adhesive shim 12 has four convex portions 32. Each ofthe convex portions 32 of the adhesive shim 12 has a shape wider thaneach of the convex portions 22 of the pattern shim 13. The adhesive shim12 has a plurality of long holes 33 (first holes) serving as adhesiveflow paths. In this embodiment, the plurality of long holes 33 arealigned with the plurality of convex portions 32, respectively, in aheight direction C orthogonal to the moving direction A and the widthdirection B. Each of the long holes 33 may have a suitable shape such asa rectangular shape. In this embodiment, each of the long holes 33 havea vertically long shape with both end portions, each having asemi-circular shape.

A center O1 of an upper semi-circular shape of each of the long holes33, which has a radius “r”, is located at a distance H from a tipportion of a corresponding one of the convex portions 32. A line P1passes through the centers O1 of the four long holes 33. A line P2connects a center O of the adhesive shim 12 in the width direction B,which is located on the line P1, and centers O2 of lower semi-circularshapes of the long holes 33, each having the radius “r”. The line P1 andthe line P2 form a predetermined angle γ. A distance “h” between thecenter O1 of the upper semi-circular shape and the center O2 of thelower semi-circular shape of each of the long holes 33 is expressed byExpression 1 using the predetermined angle γ and a distance L betweenthe center O of the adhesive shim 12 in the width direction B and thecorresponding implementation of the long hole 33.

h=L×tan γ  Expression 1

-   -   When L is equal to 0, the long hole 33 is a round-hole having        the radius “r”.

A length of each of the long holes 33 in the vicinity of end portions ofthe nozzle 1, which tend to eject a smaller amount of adhesive, isincreased to shorten a length of a corresponding adhesive orifice. Apressure loss is reduced by shortening the length of each of theadhesive orifices. The ejection amounts from the plurality of adhesiveejection ports 6 can be made substantially equal regardless of positionsof the adhesive ejection ports 6 in the width direction B. In thismanner, a variation among the amounts of adhesive to be applied to aplurality of rubber threads 4 can be reduced.

The adhesive shim 12 has a pair of gas holes 35 (second gas holes). Theadhesive shim 12 further has a pair of through holes 36, a positioninghole 37, and a positioning groove 38. The pair of through holes 36 allowpassage of the two screws 16. The positioning hole 37 allows passage ofone of the pair of positioning pins 157 provided to the face plate 15.The positioning groove 38 is engaged with another one of the pair ofpositioning pins 157. The positioning groove 38 is formed in such amanner as to define a part of an edge of the adhesive shim 12. Thepositioning groove 38 is formed in a part of an outer periphery of theadhesive shim 12, and thus is easily formed by wire discharge. When theadhesive shim 12 is superposed on the pattern shim 13, the long holes 33communicate with the first slits 23, and the gas holes 35 communicatewith the gas holes 25, respectively.

Gas Shim

FIG. 8 is a view for illustrating the gas shim 14. The gas shim 14serving as another one of the side shims has a plurality of convexportions 42 (third convex portions), each having a tapered shape, whichprotrude outward from an outer periphery 41. In this embodiment, the gasshim 14 has four convex portions 42. Each of the convex portions 42 ofthe gas shim 14 has a shape wider than each of the convex portions 22 ofthe pattern shim 13. The gas shim 14 has a plurality of gas holes 43(second holes) serving as gas flow paths. In this embodiment, the gasshim 14 has eight gas holes 43. When the gas shim 14 is superposed onthe pattern shim 13, the eight gas holes 43 communicate with the eightsecond slits 24 of the pattern shim 13, respectively.

The gas shim 14 has a pair of gas holes 45 (third gas holes). The gasshim 14 further has a pair of through holes 46, a positioning hole 47,and a positioning groove 48. The pair of through holes 46 allow passageof the two screws 16. The positioning hole 47 allows passage of the oneof the pair of positioning pins 157 provided to the face plate 15. Thepositioning groove 48 is engaged with another one of the pair ofpositioning pins 157. The positioning groove 48 is formed in such amanner as to define a part of an edge of the gas shim 14. Thepositioning groove 48 is formed in a part of an outer periphery of thegas shim 14, and thus is easily formed by wire discharge. When the gasshim 14 is superposed on the pattern shim 13, the gas holes 45communicate with the gas holes 25 of the pattern shim 13.

As illustrated in FIG. 3(b), the head body 11 has an inclined surface50, which is inclined with respect to the moving direction A of therubber threads 4. The adhesive shim 12, the pattern shim 13, and the gasshim 14 are laminated on the inclined surface 50 of the head body 11.The adhesive shim 12 is disposed in contact with the inclined surface50. Axes of the first slits 23, which pass through the adhesive ejectionports 6, extend along the inclined surface 50 to form an acute anglewith respect to the moving direction A of the rubber threads 4. Axes ofthe second slits 24, which pass through the gas discharge ports 7,extend along the inclined surface 50 to form an acute angle with respectto the moving direction A of the rubber threads 4. As illustrated inFIG. 4 , the convex portion 22 of the pattern shim 13, the convexportion 32 of the adhesive shim 12, and the convex portion 42 of the gasshim 14 are superposed on one another to form the ejection port 2. Whenthe pattern shim 13 having the first slits 23 and the second slits 24 issandwiched between the adhesive shim 12 and the gas shim 14, theadhesive orifices and gas orifices are formed. The pattern shim 13 has afunction as partition walls configured to define adhesive paths and gaspaths formed in the nozzle 1. The convex portions 32 of the adhesiveshim 12 and the convex portions 42 of the gas shim 14 also have afunction of preventing accumulation of the adhesive at the ejectionports 2.

Head Body

FIG. 9 is a view for illustrating the head body 11. An adhesivedistribution groove 51, screw holes 56, positioning holes 57, and gasoutlets 59 are formed in the inclined surface 50 of the head body 11.The screws 16 are threadedly engaged with the screw holes 56,respectively. The positioning holes 57 are engaged with the positioningpins 157, respectively. The adhesive distribution groove 51 is anelongated horizontal groove extending in the width direction B of thenozzle 1. The head body 11 further has an adhesive inlet 54 and a pairof gas inlets 55 (FIG. 5(A)).

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the nozzle 1. The head body 11 has anadhesive flow path 53 and a pair of gas flow paths 58. FIG. 10(a) is asectional view of the nozzle 1, which is taken along a plane containingan axis of the adhesive flow path 53. The adhesive flow path 53communicates with the adhesive inlet 54 formed in a top surface of thehead body 11. When the nozzle 1 is mounted to the dispenser valve 60,the adhesive inlet 54 communicates with the adhesive discharge passage97 of the dispenser valve 60. An adhesive outlet 52 of the adhesive flowpath 53 communicates with the adhesive distribution groove 51.

The adhesive distribution groove 51 communicates with the plurality oflong holes 33 formed in the adhesive shim 12. The long holes 33communicate with the first slits 23 formed in the pattern shim 13,respectively. The adhesive discharged from the adhesive dischargepassage 97 of the dispenser valve 60 passes through the adhesive inlet54, the adhesive flow path 53, the adhesive outlet 52, the long holes33, and the first slits 23 to be ejected from the adhesive ejectionports 6 of the ejection ports 2.

Face Plate

FIG. 11 is a view for illustrating the face plate 15. A mount surface150 of the face plate 15 has a first gas distribution groove 151, asecond gas distribution groove 152, a third gas distribution groove 153,a pair of through holes 156, and a pair of positioning pins 157. Thepair of through holes 156 allow passage of the two screws 16. The faceplate 15 further has the four guide grooves 3. A length of the third gasdistribution groove 153 is longer than a length of the first gasdistribution groove 151 in the width direction B. The second gasdistribution groove 152, which brings the first gas distribution groove151 and the third gas distribution groove 153 into communication witheach other, has such an inverted V shape that widens toward a lower endso as to spread a gas in the width direction B while the gas is flowingfrom the first gas distribution groove 151 into the third gasdistribution groove 153.

FIG. 10(b) is a sectional view of the nozzle 1, which is taken along aplane containing an axis of one of the gas flow paths 58. The gas flowpaths 58 communicate with the gas inlets 55 formed in the top surface ofthe head body 11, respectively. When the nozzle 1 is mounted to thedispenser valve 60, the pair of gas inlets 55 communicate with the pairof gas discharge passages 98 or gas discharge flow passages of thedispenser valve 60, respectively. Gas outlets 154 of the pair of gasflow paths 58 communicate with the pair of gas holes 35 of the adhesiveshim 12, respectively.

When the face plate 15 is mounted to the head body 11 with use of thescrews 16 while the gas shim 14, the pattern shim 13, and the adhesiveshim 12 are sandwiched therebetween, the first gas distribution groove151 of the face plate 15 communicates with the pair of gas holes 45 ofthe gas shim 14, and the third gas distribution groove 153 communicateswith the eight gas holes 43. The gas discharged through the gasdischarge passages 98 of the dispenser valve 60 passes through the gasinlets 55, the gas flow paths 58, the gas outlets 154, the gas holes 35,the gas holes 25, the gas holes 45, the first gas distribution groove151, the second gas distribution groove 152, the third gas distributiongroove 153, the gas holes 43, and the second slits 24 to be jetted fromthe gas discharge ports 7 of the ejection ports 2.

Discharge Angle of Adhesive

As illustrated in FIG. 3(b), the head body 11 has the inclined surface50 that forms an acute angle with respect to the moving direction A ofthe rubber threads 4. The adhesive shim 12, the pattern shim 13, and thegas shim 14 are superposed on the inclined surface 50 to form theejection ports 2. When the adhesive 5 is ejected, and the gas is jettedfrom the ejection ports 2, the adhesive 5 can be applied in a wavepattern at the acute angle with respect to the moving direction A of therubber threads 4. An ejection direction of the adhesive 5 is inclinedwith respect to the moving direction A of the rubber threads 4, and thusthe ejected adhesive 5 gently comes into contact with each of the rubberthreads 4. Accordingly, the adhesive 5 is less liable to be repelled bythe rubber threads 4.

Further, a relative speed between the ejected adhesive 5 and each of therubber threads 4 is reduced by a component (=cos θ) of an ejection speedvector of the adhesive 5 in the moving direction A of the rubber threads4. Thus, repelling and scattering of the adhesive 5 by the rubberthreads 4 can be suppressed even under a condition where the movingspeed of the rubber threads 4 is higher in comparison to a case in whichthe adhesive 5 is applied at a substantially right angle with respect tothe moving direction A. The adhesive 5 is more likely to adhere to therubber threads 4 even under a condition where the adhesive 5 is liableto be repelled by the rubber threads 4, for example, in a case in whichthe adhesive 5 has a low viscosity or a case in which the ejectionamount of the adhesive 5 is small, specifically, the ejection speed ofthe adhesive 5 is low, in comparison to a case in which the adhesive 5is applied at a substantially right angle with respect to the movingdirection A of the rubber threads 4. Thus, the adhesive 5 can be stablyapplied under a wider range of conditions than a range of conditions inthe related art.

In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3(b), an ejection angle θ ofthe adhesive 5 with respect to the moving direction A of the rubberthreads 4 is set to 45 degrees. When the ejection angle θ is larger than45 degrees, the relative speed between the adhesive 5 and the rubberthreads 4 is increased. Thus, when the ejection angle θ is larger than45 degrees, the scattering of the adhesive 5 cannot be suppressed insome cases under a condition in which the moving speed of the rubberthreads 4 is higher.

On the contrary, when the ejection angle θ is smaller than 45 degrees,the relative speed between the adhesive 5 and the rubber threads 4 isdecreased. Further, an application position (contact position) AP of theadhesive 5 to each of the rubber threads 4 is located farther from acorresponding one of the ejection ports 2. An oscillation width of theadhesive 5 that is oscillated in a wave pattern increases as a distanceof the application position AP of the adhesive 5 from the correspondingimplementation of the ejection port 2 increases. When the oscillationwidth of the adhesive 5 is increased, the adhesive 5 is furtherstretched and narrowed to result in a smaller fiber diameter of theadhesive 5. Fibers of the adhesive 5, which each have a small fiberdiameter, shake widely in a fore-and-aft direction (moving direction A)due to disturbance (mainly, an air flow generated by transport of thefirst substrate 8 and the second substrate 9). Thus, the fiber diameterand wave pattern intervals of the adhesive 5 applied to each of therubber threads 4 become irregular to result in an unstable applicationstate. As the ejection angle θ is decreased, application stability ismore impaired. Thus, it is desired that the ejection angle θ be equal toor larger than about 20 degrees.

In this embodiment, the adhesive 5 is ejected at an acute angle withrespect to the moving direction A of the rubber threads 4. As a result,stable application is enabled under a wide range of conditionsincluding, for example, a case in which a production line is conductedat a high speed, a case in which an application amount is small, and acase in which the adhesive has a low viscosity. As described above, itis important for application stability that the ejection angle θ, and inturn, the application position AP are kept constant. In this embodiment,the face plate 15 has the guide grooves 3 configured to guide the rubberthreads 4. The guide grooves 3 are located in the vicinity of theejection ports 2, respectively. Each of the guide grooves 3 has aconcave surface 3 a configured to receive a corresponding one of therubber threads 4 and guide the corresponding portions of the rubberthread 4 along the moving direction A. Each of the guide grooves 3suppresses waviness of the corresponding portions of the rubber thread 4until just before the application of the adhesive 5 is started, andguides the corresponding portions of the rubber thread 4 to theappropriate application position AP.

The nozzle 1 has the guide grooves 3 having a guiding function, andhence a positional relationship between each of the ejection ports 2 anda corresponding one of the rubber threads 4 can be kept constant. Thus,shaking of the rubber threads 4 is suppressed to a position immediatelyproximal to the application position AP only by inserting the rubberthreads 4 into the guide grooves 3 in such a manner that the rubberthreads 4 are in contact with the guide grooves 3, respectively.Further, each of the guide grooves 3 enables the ejection angle θ formedby the ejection direction of the adhesive 5 with respect to the movingdirection A of the rubber threads 4 to be maintained at a given angle.The nozzle 1 itself has a guiding function for the rubber threads 4.Thus, the adhesive 5 ejected at the acute angle with respect to therubber threads 4 is reliably applied on each of the rubber threads 4. Aguide roller configured to guide the rubber threads 4 may be provided inthe vicinity of the nozzle 1. In this case, however, a positionalrelationship between the nozzle 1 and the guide roller is required to besubjected to fine adjustment so that each of the rubber threads 4 passesthrough the optimal application position AP.

When fibers of the oscillated adhesive 5 are to be applied to aplurality of rubber threads 4, it is preferred that ejection amounts ofthe adhesive 5 to be ejected from the ejection ports 2, amplitudes andamplitude cycles (frequencies) of the wave patterns of the adhesivestreams be set uniform over all the ejection ports 2. In this manner,the fibers of the adhesive 5, which have the same fiber diameter, comeinto contact with the rubber threads 4 in the same cycles. As a result,an ideal application state without a difference in bonding strengthamong the rubber threads 4 can be obtained. To achieve the idealapplication state, flow rates of the adhesive streams ejected from andflow rates of gas streams jetted from the plurality of ejection ports 2are required to be set equal. In this embodiment, the structure forachieving a uniform flow-rate balance among the ejection ports 2 isprovided in flow paths for the adhesive 5 and flow paths for the gas tothereby enable uniform and stable application.

Distribution of Adhesive

The adhesive 5 flows from the adhesive inlet 54 of the nozzle 1, whichis illustrated in FIG. 10(a), through the adhesive flow path 53 into theadhesive distribution groove 51 illustrated in FIG. 9 . The adhesive 5is distributed in the width direction B of the nozzle 1 through theadhesive distribution groove 51. The adhesive outlet 52 of the adhesiveflow path 53 is located in a center of the adhesive distribution groove51 in the width direction B. Thus, a flow rate of the adhesive 5 tendsto be larger in the center of the adhesive distribution groove 51, andtends to be smaller at both end portions of the adhesive distributiongroove 51 in the width direction B. To adjust a non-uniform distributionof the adhesive 5 flowing through the adhesive distribution groove 51 soas to achieve more uniform distribution, the adhesive shim 12 has theplurality of long holes 33 (elongated groove holes) including thosehaving longer lengths in the center than lengths of those in the endportions, as illustrated in FIG. 7 . Each of the plurality of long holes33 has a longer length along a direction in which the first slits 23extend. The distribution of the adhesive 5 is uniformized by adjustingthe lengths of the plurality of long holes 33 in a longitudinaldirection in accordance with distances from the adhesive outlet 52. Inthis embodiment, the flow rate balance of the adhesive 5 among theadhesive ejection ports 6 is adjusted by changing the lengths of thelong holes 33 in accordance with the distance L from the center O of theadhesive shim 12 to the long hole 33. As a result, the ejection amountsof the adhesive 5 can be set substantially equal to each other for theadhesive ejection ports 6.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view for illustrating a positionalrelationship among the adhesive distribution groove 51, the first slits23, and the long holes 33. Positions of tips of the convex portions 32of the adhesive shim 12, positions of the tips 22 a of the convexportions 22 of the pattern shim 13, and positions of tips of the convexportions 42 of the gas shim 14 are aligned with each other. A width W ofeach of the tips 22 a of the convex portions 22 of the pattern shim 13is the same as a width of each of the tips of the convex portions 32 ofthe adhesive shim 12 and a width of each of the tips of the convexportions 42 of the gas shim 14. A length H-h of each of the adhesiveorifices, which is determined by a corresponding one of the long holes33 of the adhesive shim 12 and a corresponding one of the first slits 23of the pattern shim 13, is expressed by Expression 2.

H−h=H−L×tan γ  Expression 2

As is understood from Expression 2, the length H-h of the adhesiveorifice becomes shorter as a distance of the first slit 23 from thecenter O of the pattern shim 13 increases. When the length H-h of theadhesive orifice becomes shorter, resistance against flow of theadhesive 5 is reduced. Thus, the adhesive 5 is allowed to easily flow.In this manner, the flow rates of the streams of the adhesive flowingfrom the adhesive distribution groove 51 through the long holes 33 andthe first slits 23 into the adhesive ejection ports 6 can be made equalto each other. Widths of the first slits 23 can be suitably set inaccordance with conditions of use such as the viscosity or the ejectionamount of the adhesive 5. A width WL of each of the long holes 33 islarger than the width W of each of the first slits 23. In thisembodiment, the width WL of each of the long holes 33 is substantiallytwice as large as the width W of each of the first slits 23. However,the width WL of each of the long holes 33 is not limited to theabove-mentioned value in the disclosure. The width WL of each of thelong holes 33 may be set to fall within a range of from 1.2 times tothree times as large as the width W of each of the first slits 23. Thewidth WL of each of the long holes 33 may be more than three times thewidth W of each of the first slits 23.

As means for adjusting the flow rates of the adhesive streams among theadhesive orifices, the adhesive shim 12 may have round-holes (firstholes) having different diameters in place of the long holes 33 havingdifferent lengths. The round-holes having different diameters canproduce the same effects as those obtained by the long holes 33 havingdifferent lengths. The pressure loss is proportional to a square of aflow path diameter. Thus, differences in diameter of the round-holes areextremely small among the adhesive orifices. Thus, the round-holes arerequired to be formed with high accuracy.

Further, another means for adjusting the flow rates of the adhesivestreams among the adhesive orifices is illustrated in FIG. 13 . In amodification example of the adhesive shim 12, a plurality of round-holes39 (first holes) having the same diameter are formed at positions havingdifferent distances from the corresponding implementations of the convexportions 32 in place of the plurality of long holes 33. FIG. 13 is anexplanatory view for illustrating a positional relationship among theadhesive distribution groove 51, first slits 123, and the round-holes 39in the modification example. A line P3 extends along the width directionB of the adhesive shim 12. A line P4 connects a center O of the adhesiveshim 12 in the width direction B, which is located on the line P3, andcenters of the round-holes 39. The line P3 and the line P4 form apredetermined angle γ. Each of the round-holes 39 is located at anintersection between the line P4 that forms the predetermined angle γwith respect to the line P3 extending along the width direction B of theadhesive shim 12 and an axis of a corresponding one of the first slits123. A pattern shim 113 has the first slits 123, each having a length HLthat is set in accordance with a distance of a corresponding one of theround-holes 39 from a corresponding one of the convex portions 32. Inthe modification example illustrated in FIG. 13 , the length HL of theadhesive orifice changes in accordance with the distance L from thecenter O of the pattern shim 113 to the first slit 123. In this manner,the same effects can be obtained. In this case, both of the positions ofthe round-holes 39 of the adhesive shim 12 and the lengths of the firstslits 123 of the pattern shim 113 are required to be changed.

A diameter of each of the round-holes 39 is larger than the width W ofeach of the first slits 123. In this embodiment, the diameter of each ofthe round-holes 39 is substantially twice as large as the width W ofeach of the first slits 123. However, the diameter of each of theround-holes 39 is not limited to the above-mentioned value in thedisclosure. The diameter of each of the round-holes 39 may be set tofall within a range of 1.2 times to three times as large as the width Wof each of the first slits 123. The diameter of each of the round-holes39 may be more than three times the width W of each of the first slits123.

Distribution of Gas

As illustrated in FIG. 10(b), the first gas distribution groove 151 isrequired to have a larger depth than those of the second gasdistribution groove 152 and the third gas distribution groove 153 so asto serve as a buffer configured to increase a volume of the gas. Thefirst gas distribution groove 151 has an action to join gas streamsflowing from the two gas flow paths 58 and accumulate the gas. FIG. 14is an explanatory view for illustrating a positional relationship amongthe first gas distribution groove 151, the second gas distributiongroove 152, the third gas distribution groove 153, the second slits 24,and the gas holes 43. As illustrated in FIG. 14(a), the second gasdistribution groove 152 gradually spreads the gas, which has beenaccumulated in the first gas distribution groove 151, in the widthdirection B into a thin layer, and evenly diffuses the gas in the widthdirection B. The second gas distribution groove 152 is a shallow groovefor providing resistance to the gas to spread the gas so that a largeramount of gas does not flow in the center of the second gas distributiongroove 152.

The third gas distribution groove 153 has a larger depth than that ofthe second gas distribution groove 152. The third gas distributiongroove 153 is configured to receive the spread gas to feed the gas intothe eight gas holes 43 of the gas shim 14. In this manner, the gas isevenly spread in the width direction B of the nozzle 1. The gas that isevenly diffused in the width direction passes through the eight gasholes 43, and is distributed to the eight second slits 24. In thismanner, the gas is distributed through three stages with the first gasdistribution groove 151, the second gas distribution groove 152, and thethird gas distribution groove 153 of the face plate 15. Through thethree-stage distribution, ejection amounts of gas jetted from the eightgas discharge ports 7 can be made substantially equal to each other.

In this embodiment, the face plate 15 has the first gas distributiongroove 151, the second gas distribution groove 152, and the third gasdistribution groove 153. However, the first gas distribution groove 151,the second gas distribution groove 152, and the third gas distributiongroove 153 are not required to be formed in the face plate 15. Forexample, similar gas distribution grooves may be formed by additionallyproviding a plurality of shims, each having through grooves. When thegas is caused to pass through the gas distribution grooves formed in theplurality of laminated shims, the same effects are obtained.

FIG. 14(b) is an enlarged view of a portion XIVB surrounded by a circlein FIG. 14(a). As illustrated in FIG. 14(b), the second slits 24 arearranged bilaterally symmetric with respect to the first slit 23 so asto impinge the gas streams on the adhesive stream ejected from theadhesive ejection port 6 in a symmetric manner from right and leftsides. The second slits 24 are inclined with respect to the first slit23 in the vicinity of the gas discharge ports 7. The gas streams aresymmetrically discharged from the pair of gas discharge ports 7 towardthe adhesive stream ejected from the adhesive ejection port 6 in such amanner that the gas streams discharged from the pair of gas dischargeports 7 travel over the same distance from the adhesive ejection port 6to impinge on the adhesive stream ejected from the adhesive ejectionport 6. The oscillation width of the wave pattern of the adhesive 5 canbe changed by changing a discharge angle α between the gas streams fromthe pair of gas discharge ports 7. When the discharge angle α isincreased, the oscillation width of the wave pattern can be increased.On the contrary, when the discharge angle α is reduced, the oscillationwidth of the wave pattern can be reduced. Further, when a dischargepressure (discharge amount) of the gas is increased, the oscillationwidth of the wave pattern of the adhesive 5 can also be increased.

FIG. 15 is a view for illustrating a nozzle 101 configured to apply asingle fiber of the adhesive 5 ejected from the one ejection port 2 tothe plurality of rubber threads 4. A plurality of guide grooves 103 areformed for one ejection port 2. The nozzle 101 has a pair of secondslits 124 for forming gas orifices, which are inclined at a large anglewith respect to the first slit 123 for forming an adhesive orifice. Asillustrated in FIG. 15 , when the fibers of the adhesive 5 ejected fromthe single implementation of the ejection port 2 are to be applied onthe plurality of rubber threads 4, it is effective to increase thedischarge angle α formed between the gas streams.

When viewed along the moving direction A of the rubber threads 4, theconvex portions 42 of the gas shim 14 and the convex portions 32 of theadhesive shim 12 are disposed in such a manner as to cover the gasdischarge port 7. As illustrated in FIG. 14(b), a convex-portion angle βof the convex portion 42 of the gas shim 14 and the convex portion 32 ofthe adhesive shim 12 is set larger than the discharge angle α formedbetween the gas streams. As a result, even when the pattern shim 13 isreplaced later by a pattern shim having a larger discharge angle αbetween the gas streams, both sides of the pair of gas discharge ports 7of the new implementation of the pattern shim 13 are covered with theconvex portion 42 of the gas shim 14 and the convex portion 32 of theadhesive shim 12 to thereby ensure a sufficient sealing property. Whenthe convex-portion angle β is smaller than the discharge angle α (β<α),part of each of the gas discharge ports 7 formed in the pattern shim 13protrudes from the adhesive shim 12 and the gas shim 14. As a result,both sides of each of the gas discharge ports 7 cannot be sufficientlycovered. In this case, the gas is discharged unstably. Further, thesealing property is insufficient, and thus the adhesive 5 may leak froma space between the shims. Thus, the convex-portion angle β is set equalto or larger than the discharge angle α.

According to this embodiment, the adhesive 5 can be stably applied byevenly determining the application patterns of the adhesive streams fromthe adhesive ejection ports 6 and the discharge patterns of the gasstreams from the gas discharge ports 7.

According to this embodiment, uniformity in the distribution of theadhesive to be distributed to the plurality of adhesive ejection ports 6and uniformity in the distribution of the gas to be distributed to theplurality of gas discharge ports 7 can be improved.

The disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and canbe embodied in a variety of other modes without departing from acharacteristic matter of the disclosure. Hence, the above-mentionedembodiment is merely given as an example and should not be exclusivelyconstrued. The scope of the disclosure is not restricted to thisspecification at all and is only defined by the scope of claims.Further, all modifications and changes within the scope of claims andits equivalent fall within the scope of the disclosure.

LIST OF PARTS AND REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   nozzle 1-   adhesive ejection port 6-   gas discharge port 7-   head body 11-   adhesive shim 12-   pattern shim 13-   gas shim 14-   face plate 15-   screw 16 (fixing means)-   convex portion 22 (first convex portion)-   first slit 23-   second slit 24-   gas hole 25 (first gas hole)-   convex portion 32 (second convex portion)-   long hole 33 (first hole)-   round-holes 39-   gas hole 35 (second gas hole)-   convex portion 42 (third convex portion)-   gas hole 43 (second hole)-   gas hole 45 (third gas hole)-   adhesive distribution groove 51-   adhesive outlet 52-   adhesive flow path 53-   adhesive inlet 54-   gas inlet 55-   gas flow path 58-   gas outlet 59-   first gas distribution groove 151-   second gas distribution groove 152-   third gas distribution groove 153

1. A nozzle, comprising: a pattern shim having a plurality of taperedfirst convex portions protruding from an outer edge outwardly; aplurality of first slits which open at tips of the plurality of taperedfirst convex portions, respectively; a plurality of second slitsprovided on both sides of each of the plurality of first slits and openat portions adjacent to a corresponding first convex portion; and afirst gas hole; an adhesive shim having a plurality of tapered secondconvex portions protruding from an outer edge outwardly and having ashape wider than the plurality of tapered first convex portions; aplurality of first holes as adhesive flow paths; and a second gas hole;a gas shim having a plurality of tapered third convex portionsprotruding from an outer edge outwardly and having a shape wider thanthe plurality of tapered first convex portions; a plurality of secondholes as gas flow paths; and a third gas hole; a head body having anadhesive inlet, an adhesive outlet, an adhesive flow path connecting theadhesive inlet and the adhesive outlet, an adhesive distribution groovecommunicating with the adhesive outlet, a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and agas flow path connecting the gas inlet and the gas outlet; a face platehaving a first gas distribution groove, a second gas distribution groovecommunicating with the first gas distribution groove, and a third gasdistribution groove communicating with the second gas distributiongroove; and a fixing means for fixing the head body, the adhesive shim,the pattern shim, the gas shim, and the face plate arranged in order ofmention so that the adhesive distribution groove communicates with theplurality of first holes, the plurality of first holes communicate withthe plurality of first slits, the gas outlet communicates with the firstgas hole, the first gas hole communicates the second gas hole, thesecond gas hole communicates with the third gas hole, the third gas holecommunicates with the first gas distribution groove, the third gasdistribution groove communicates with the plurality of second holes, andthe plurality of second holes communicates with the plurality of secondslits, wherein the plurality of tapered first convex portions aresandwiched by the plurality of tapered second convex portions and theplurality of tapered third convex portions to form adhesive dischargeports at openings of the plurality of first slits and to form gasdischarge ports, at openings of the plurality of second slits, providedon both sides of each of the adhesive discharge ports, and wherein theplurality of first holes are configured so that a distance from anadhesive discharge port becomes shorter as a distance from the adhesiveoutlet becomes longer.
 2. The nozzle according to claim 1, whereinadhesive discharged from the adhesive discharge ports is applied onobjects moving in a moving direction with respect to the adhesivedischarge ports.
 3. The nozzle according to claim 2, wherein: the headbody has an inclined surface which is inclined with respect to themoving direction; the adhesive distribution groove and the gas outletare formed in the inclined surface; the adhesive shim is disposed incontact with the inclined surface; axes passing through the adhesivedischarge ports of the plurality of first slits extend along theinclined surface to form an acute angle with respect to the movingdirection; and axes passing through the gas discharge ports of theplurality of second slits extend along the inclined surface to form anacute angle with respect to the moving direction.
 4. The nozzleaccording to claim 2, wherein the face plate has a plurality of guidegrooves, and wherein each of the guide grooves is positioned in avicinity of a corresponding adhesive discharge port and has a concavesurface configured to receive the objects and guide the objects alongthe moving direction.
 5. The nozzle according to claim 4, wherein gasesare discharged from the gas discharge ports formed on both sides of thecorresponding adhesive discharge port in symmetry with respect to andtoward the adhesive discharged from the corresponding adhesive dischargeport so that the gases discharged from the gas discharge ports impingeon the adhesive discharged from the corresponding adhesive dischargeport at a same distance from the corresponding adhesive discharge port,and wherein the plurality of tapered second convex portions and theplurality of tapered third convex portions are disposed so as to coverthe gas discharge ports as viewed along the moving direction.
 6. Thenozzle according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first holes arelocated on intersecting points of the plurality of first slits with aline forming a predetermined angle with a line extending along a widthdirection of the adhesive shim.
 7. The nozzle according to claim 1,wherein the plurality of first holes are long holes elongated in adirection the plurality of first slits extend.
 8. The nozzle accordingto claim 7, wherein lengths of the long holes are set so as to becomelonger in accordance with the distance from the adhesive outlet.
 9. Thenozzle according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first holes areround-holes, and wherein diameters of the round-holes are set so as tobecome larger in accordance with the distance from the adhesive outlet.10. The nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of firstholes are round-holes, and wherein diameters of the round-holes are thesame.
 11. The nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the third gasdistribution groove is longer than the first gas distribution groove ina width direction of the face plate, wherein a depth of the second gasdistribution groove is shallower than a depth of the first gasdistribution groove and a depth of the third gas distribution groove,and wherein a width of the second gas distribution groove is widened inthe width direction of the face plate as going from the first gasdistribution groove to the third gas distribution groove.
 12. The nozzleaccording to claim 1, wherein the face plate has a pair of positioningpins, wherein the pattern shim has a positioning hole through which oneof the pair of positioning pins passes, and a positioning grooveprovided on a part of an outer periphery of the pattern shim andengaging with the other of the pair of positioning pins, wherein theadhesive shim has a positioning hole through which the one of the pairof positioning pins passes, and a positioning groove provided on a partof an outer periphery of the adhesive shim and engaging with the otherof the pair of positioning pins, and wherein the gas shim has apositioning hole through which the one of the pair of positioning pinspasses, and a positioning groove provided on a part of an outerperiphery of the gas shim and engaging with the other of the pair ofpositioning pins.
 13. An adhesive application head comprising: a nozzleas recited in claim 1; and a dispenser valve, to which the nozzle ismounted, configured to supply an adhesive to the nozzle.
 14. An adhesiveapplication apparatus, comprising: a transport roller for transportingan object to an application position in a moving direction; a melter forsupplying an adhesive; a pump for pumping the adhesive from the melter;a hose through which the adhesive pumped by the pump passes; a manifoldfor distribute the adhesive supplied from the hose; a first regulatorfor depressurizing a compression gas; a solenoid valve for supplying thecompression gas depressurized by the first regulator in accordance withan external signal; a dispenser valve, to which the adhesive isdistributed from the manifold, which opens and closes an adhesivedischarge port by the compression gas supplied from the solenoid valve,and discharges the adhesive for the adhesive discharge port; a secondregulator for depressurizing a compression gas; and a nozzle fordischarge the adhesive supplied from the dispenser valve and impingingthe compression gas depressurized by the second regulator on theadhesive to oscillate the adhesive to apply the adhesive on the objectmoving in the moving direction, wherein the nozzle comprises: a patternshim having a plurality of tapered first convex portions protruding froman outer edge outwardly, a plurality of first slits which open at tipsof the plurality of tapered first convex portions, respectively, aplurality of second slits provided on both sides of each of theplurality of first slits and open at portions adjacent to acorresponding first convex portion, and a first gas hole; an adhesiveshim having a plurality of tapered second convex portions protrudingfrom an outer edge outwardly and having a shape wider than the pluralityof tapered first convex portions, a plurality of first holes as adhesiveflow paths, and a second gas hole; a gas shim having a plurality oftapered third convex portions protruding from an outer edge outwardlyand having a shape wider than the plurality of tapered first convexportions, a plurality of second holes as gas flow paths, and a third gashole; a head body having an adhesive inlet, an adhesive outlet, anadhesive flow path connecting the adhesive inlet and the adhesiveoutlet, an adhesive distribution groove communicating with the adhesiveoutlet, a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a gas flow path connecting thegas inlet and the gas outlet; a face plate having a first gasdistribution groove, a second gas distribution groove communicating withthe first gas distribution groove, and a third gas distribution groovecommunicating with the second gas distribution groove; and fixing meansfor fixing the head body, the adhesive shim, the pattern shim, the gasshim, and the face plate arranged in order of mention so that theadhesive distribution groove communicates with the plurality of firstholes, the plurality of first holes communicate with the plurality offirst slits, the gas outlet communicates with the first gas hole, thefirst gas hole communicates the second gas hole, the second gas holecommunicates with the third gas hole, the third gas hole communicateswith the first gas distribution groove, the third gas distributiongroove communicates with the plurality of second holes, and theplurality of second holes communicates with the plurality of secondslits, wherein the plurality of tapered first convex portions aresandwiched by the plurality of tapered second convex portions and theplurality of tapered third convex portions to form adhesive dischargeports at openings of the plurality of first slits and to form gasdischarge ports, at openings of the plurality of second slits, providedon both sides of each of the adhesive discharge ports, and wherein theplurality of first holes are configured so that a distance from anadhesive discharge port becomes shorter as a distance from the adhesiveoutlet becomes longer.
 15. The adhesive application apparatus accordingto claim 14, wherein the head body has an inclined surface which isinclined with respect to the moving direction, the adhesive distributiongroove and the gas outlet are formed in the inclined surface, theadhesive shim is disposed in contact with the inclined surface, axespassing through the adhesive discharge ports of the plurality of firstslits extend along the inclined surface to form an acute angle withrespect to the moving direction, and axes passing through the gasdischarge ports of the plurality of second slits extend along theinclined surface to form an acute angle with respect to the movingdirection.
 16. The adhesive application apparatus according to claim 14,wherein the face plate has a plurality of guide grooves, and whereineach of the guide grooves is positioned in a vicinity of a correspondingadhesive discharge port and has a concave surface configured to receivethe object and guide the object along the moving direction.
 17. Theadhesive application apparatus according to claim 16, wherein gases aredischarged from the gas discharge ports formed on both sides of thecorresponding adhesive discharge port in symmetry with respect to andtoward the adhesive discharged from the corresponding adhesive dischargeport so that the gases discharged from the gas discharge ports impingeon the adhesive discharged from the corresponding adhesive dischargeport at a same distance from the corresponding adhesive discharge port,and wherein the plurality of tapered second convex portions and theplurality of tapered third convex portions are disposed so as to coverthe gas discharge ports as viewed along the moving direction.
 18. Theadhesive application apparatus according to claim 14, wherein theplurality of first holes are located on intersecting points of theplurality of first slits with a line forming a predetermined angle witha line extending along a width direction of the adhesive shim.
 19. Theadhesive application apparatus according to claim 14, wherein theplurality of first holes are long holes elongated in a direction theplurality of first slits extend.
 20. The adhesive application apparatusaccording to claim 19, wherein lengths of the long holes are set so asto become longer in accordance with the distance from the adhesiveoutlet.
 21. An adhesive application apparatus according to claim 14,wherein the plurality of first holes are round-holes, and whereindiameters of the round-holes are set so as to become larger inaccordance with the distance from the adhesive outlet.
 22. An adhesiveapplication apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the plurality offirst holes are round-holes, and wherein diameters of the round-holesare the same.
 23. An adhesive application apparatus according to claim14, wherein the third gas distribution groove is longer than the firstgas distribution groove in a width direction of the face plate, whereina depth of the second gas distribution groove is shallower than a depthof the first gas distribution groove and a depth of the third gasdistribution groove, and wherein a width of the second gas distributiongroove is widened in the width direction of the face plate as going fromthe first gas distribution groove to the third gas distribution groove.24. An adhesive application apparatus according to claim 14, wherein theface plate has a pair of positioning pins, wherein the pattern shim hasa positioning hole through which one of the pair of positioning pinspasses, and a positioning groove provided on a part of an outerperiphery of the pattern shim and engaging with the other of the pair ofpositioning pins, wherein the adhesive shim has a positioning holethrough which the one of the pair of positioning pins passes, and apositioning groove provided on a part of an outer periphery of theadhesive shim and engaging with the other of the pair of positioningpins, and wherein the gas shim has a positioning hole through which theone of the pair of positioning pins passes, and a positioning grooveprovided on a part of an outer periphery of the gas shim and engagingwith the other of the pair of positioning pins.
 25. A method of making adiaper from the nozzle as recited in claim 1, the method of making adiaper comprising: moving a plurality of rubber threads; applying aplurality of hot melt adhesive fibers discharged from the nozzle on theplurality of rubber threads, respectively, in a wave pattern formed byimpinging gas on the plurality of hot melt adhesive fibers; andsandwiching the plurality of rubber threads on which the plurality ofhot melt adhesive fibers are applied, respectively, by two substrates.